Northcote Whitridge Thomas

“ Theories of Magic Definition of Magic Magico-religious Force Origin of Magic Magic and Demonology Magic and Science Magic and Divination
II.—Laws and Ritual of Magic
The practice of magic involves the belief in the operation of certain laws, and demands certain conditions. The number of positive rites is not unlimited; a certain rite tends to become stable and is finally used for all sorts of purposes; and each magician tends to specialize in this respect. ”

“ Just as there are well-marked schools of magic, and the rain-maker is not the same as the fetish-man, so within the school there are various groups, differentiated not by the purposes at which they aim nor by the powers they claim to possess, but by the ceremonies which they practise. ”

“ Chief among the laws lying at the base of magical practice is that of sympathy.
Sympathy The Magic of Names Magical Rites Magicians Talismans and Amulets Evil Magic Rain-making Negative Magic History of Magic Psychology of Magic
Bibliography.—For a general discussion of magic with a list of selected works see Hubert and Mauss in Année sociologique, vii. ”